Our Great Gardens of Italy tour is one of our most popular tours each year and appeals to both the avid horticulturists and those who just want to add another dimension to their Italian experience, We include guided garden visits with local experts as well as some general sightseeing and excellent local food and wine. As with all our tours, we follow a “slow travel” philosophy, with no early starts or rushing from one place to another, minimum of 3 night stays in each location and plenty of free time to explore what interests you.

We try and ground the exploration of the wonderful Italian gardens in a general appreciation of Italian culture and history. Some days we leave gardens aside and simply enjoy the sights of the city we are visiting, whether that be Florence, Verona or Rome. We’re experts in Italy, Italian history and culture and enjoying all facets of this wonderful country and we engage local, expert guides to lead our excursions to many of the gardens.

We stay in just four bases on this tour with four nights in Rome, four nights in Florence, three nights in Verona and three nights in Bellagio, on Lake Como.

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The Great Gardens of Italy Tour 15 day journey through Rome, Florence, Verona, Lake Como 22 April - 06 May 2021 AUD 8,790 pp (twin-share) AUD 9,990 pp (solo traveller)

Highlights

✤ Il Giardino di Ninfa – described as the most romantic garden in the world

✤ Guided visits to the Vatican gardens in Rome and the Papal gardens at Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer palace

✤ A private visit of the gardens of the Marquis Vieri Torrigiani Malaspina in Florence

✤ A visit to the family-run Al Rocol vineyard in the Franciacorta region to learn about (and try!) this important champagne-style wine

✤ The sensational gardens of Villa Carlotta and Villa Melzi on the shores of Lake Como

✤ Our time spent on the Italian Lakes and, in particular, heavenly Bellagio!

✤ The slightly OTT opulence of Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore ✤ Delicious meals, many of them in Slow Food restaurants

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01. Villa Adriana / 02 Vatican Gardens / 03 Villa d’Este / 04 Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore

Itinerary Day 1 - Arrival in Rome Private transfer from Rome’s Fiumicino airpot to our hotel, where we meet in the late afternoon to go for our welcome dinner in a typical Roman trattoria near Campo dei Fiori. Overnight: Rome (D)

Day 2 - Il Giardino di Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo Today we will drive just south of Rome for a guided visit at the Garden of Ninfa, perhaps the most romantic garden in the world. The prosperous town of Ninfa was abandoned in the 14th Century and left as a medieval Pompeii until Prince Gelasio Caetani and his English mother started to create a garden around, on and in the ruins of the old town in the 20th Century. On our trip back towards Rome, we stop at Castel Gandolfo, the Papal summer palace ad visit the gardens of the Villa Barberini with an official guide. Overnight: Rome (B)

Day 3 - Vatican Gardens and free time We start this morning with a walking tour of the Vatican Gardens, the enormous, previously private gardens of the Pope. Our ticket to the Gardens includes entry to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel so, time permitting, you can spend an hour or so in the museums, before we head back to our hotel. In the afternoon you have free to explore the Eternal City; catch-up on shopping and postcards or just put your feet up. Our hotel is next door to some of Rome’s key attractions including the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, the Corso shopping district and the Trevi Fountain so it will be easy to do a combination of all activities. Overnight: Rome (B,D)

Day 4 - Tivoli - the gardens of an Emperor and a Cardinal This morning we drive north to visit two of perhaps the most famous Italian gardens, conveniently located in proximity to each other at Tivoli. Our first stop is at Villa Adriana, the ruins of Emperor Hadrian’s villa, built from 117AD. The ruins were rediscovered in the 15th Century and became a source of inspiration for the great Renaissance architects & designers. Cardinal Ippolito d’Este oversaw extensive excavations in the 16th Century while he was Governor of Tivoli. It is to his palace, the Villa d’Este, that we head off to in the afternoon. The Villa d’Este is one of the most impressive of the high Renaissance gardens and we will spend a delightful afternoon wondering through the hectares of gardens. Overnight: Rome (B)

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Day 5 - Castello Ruspoli and on to Florence Today we leave our base in Rome and transfer to Florence. On our way we stop at the Castello Ruspoli, a wonderful traditional Italian garden that boasts hedging dating back to the 1600s. We have lunch in the pretty hilltop town of Vignanello before driving on to Florence. We’ll arrive in time for you to settle in and relax before the excitement of the next few days. Overnight: Florence (B,L)

Day 6 - Florence This morning is a time-out from the gardens - we spend it on a walking tour of central Florence with a local guide, learning about the origins of the Renaissance and some of the history of the Medici family whose name will crop up again and again over the coming days. You will have the afternoon free to appreciate this memorable city. Florence lends itself to be explored on foot, its famous museums and churches rich in art are a tempting attraction, but its famous markets and beautiful piazze are just as inviting. Overnight: Florence (B,L)

Day 7 - Walled gardens of central Florence Today we explore two of the important gardens within the city of Florence. Firstly, we visit the private Torrigiani gardens where the Marquis shows us around. Once inside these huge gardens you can so easily forget you are in the middle of a crowded city. After lunch we visit another garden in central Florence - the Bardini Gardens - with their wonderful views out over the city and its river Arno. Overnight: Florence (B,L)

Day 8 - Renaissance splendours outside Florence On our last day in Florence we spend the morning visiting one of the Medici gardens at Villa Castello. The villa was constructed by Cosimo I de Medici in the 1500s when he was elected as the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Many experts claim that it is perhaps the nearest thing to a true Renaissance garden that exists today. In the afternoon we visit the Villa Gamberaia set in the hills above Florence. This garden was loved by a long-list of English and American ex-pats and in fact, Cecil Pinset spent time here studying its layout. Overnight: Florence (B, D)

Day 9 - Traditional Balsamic Vinegar and on to Verona We’re on the road again today, heading north to the enchanting small city of Verona. Our route takes us through Modena, famous as the centre of Italy’s balsamic vinegar industry. We’ll stop along the way to visit an acetaia, a traditional balsamic vinegar producer, where we’ll learn why this tightly controlled product is as expensive per litre as the best champagnes! We arrive in Verona in time for the afternoon passeggiata, the leisurely stroll through the streets and piazze of this most romantic city with the rest of its gentlefolk. Overnight: Verona (B,L)

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Day 10 - Verona and Giardino Giusti This mornings walking tour with a local guide gives you a good introduction to Verna and the Giardino Giusti. This garden is one of the relatively undiscovered treasures of Verona. It dates back to 1404, although the present layout, which features Roman ruins, fountains, mythological statues and an enormous cypress beloved of the poet Goethe, was designed in 1570 by Agostino Giusti, a knight of the Venetian Republic. We’ll enjoy the spectacular views of Verona from the belvedere as well as exploring its lovely palazzo. We leave the afternoon free to wander through the charming pedestrian streets of the city. Overnight: Verona (B, D)

Day 11 - Padua and the Botanic Gardens Today we’ll take you to visit the charming small city of Padua, home to the Orto Botanico di Padova, founded in 1545, the garden is one of the oldest botanic gardens in the world. We will arrive in Padua mid-morning and there will be time to wander around the historic centre and have lunch before we join a representative of the University of Padua (guardians of the gardens) for a guided tour of the Botanic Gardens. We return to Verona in the afternoon and it’s free time for the rest of the day. Overnight: Verona (B)

Day 12 - Franciacorta wine and on to Lake Como The Franciacorta area has some of the best champagne-style wines in the world. We’re lucky to have a great relationship with one of the smaller quality producers in the area, who are also sensational chefs. So our road north to Bellagio today will be punctuated by an enjoyable break at this wonderful small winery, a tour of the their production facilities and a memorable lunch. We arrive at Bellagio mid-afternoon in time to settle down for aperitivi on the hotel’s terrace overlooking the exquisite Lake Como. Overnight: Bellagio (B, L)

Day 13 - Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands Today we drive across to the neighbouring Lake Maggiore where we visit the most spectacular of the Borromean Islands, Isola Bella. In the sixteenth century Carlo III Borromeo acquired this island as the site for his Baroque palace and surrounding gardens. Its unique geography has resulted in a multi-level tiered garden with spectacular and surprising views from different angles. Watch out for the noisy white peacocks who just love to put on a gaudy display. Overnight: Bellagio (B)

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Day 14 - Villas and gardens of Lake Como We spend our last day criss-crossing the waters of Lake Como to see some beautiful villa gardens. We visit two of the most famous, Villa Melzi and Villa Carlotta. These two gardens are in part the product of the rivalry between Francesco Melzi d’Eril and his neighbour across the water Giovanni Battista Sommariva as they tried to outdo one another in an open display of horticultural one-upmanship. Overnight: Bellagio (B,D)

Day 15 - Departures Today we depart our base and transfer back to Milan’s Malpensa airport, arriving by 12pm and on to Milano Centrale station, where we arrive by 1pm. We are happy to organise for you to extend your stay in the Lakes area or to offer advice for extending your holiday in Italy. Overnight: NA (B)

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Stay ✤ 4 nights in Rome, in a wonderful 3-star hotel within walking distance of

the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain ✤ 4 nights in Florence in a charming family-run hotel just 400m from the

Duomo ✤ 3 nights in Verona, in a wonderful historic hotel just around the corner

from Piazza Bra and the Arena ✤ 3 nights in Bellagio at a charming, 3-star hotel with lake-view rooms

Inclusions ✤ Private transfer from Rome’s Fiumicino airport at the start of tour ✤ Group transfer to Milan Malpensa (arrive 12pm) or Milano Centrale

(arrive 1pm) station at the end of tour ✤ Tour leader on hand for duration of tour from the start of the tour in

Rome to departure from Milan ✤ Accommodation (on a twin-share or double basis) in 3 or 4 star hotels ✤ Breakfast daily and 5 lunches and 5 dinners (wine, or something softer if

you would prefer, included with all lunches and dinners) ✤ All land travel in Italy in private, air-conditioned mini-coach (we also

utilise the ferry service on Lakes Como and Maggiore) ✤ Entry fees to all attractions listed in the itinerary ✤ Expert, local guides at many of the gardens✤ All gratuities and local taxes (no surprise taxes at hotels as you check-out)

Weather Whilst spring is the best time to visit the gardens, the weather can be a little changeable, so you should be prepared for some cooler weather and the possibility of some rain. We usually expect average temperatures from 17 - 25o during the day.

Physical Fitness We don’t place any age limitations on the tour and welcome anyone with a moderate level of physical fitness. Specifically, you should be comfortable on your feet for up to 3 hours with short breaks and confident on the cobblestones and uneven surfaces.

Travel Insurance Travel insurance is compulsory when travelling on one of our tours. Please contact us if you need help arranging travel insurance.

Booking If you would like to book a place on this or any other tour, or if you have some questions about the itinerary, please don’t hesitate to contact Luca or Philippa at Italian Tours. P 02 9358 4923 E ciao@italiantours.com.au

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